Positioning and installing surgical drilling devices and related devices and systems

ABSTRACT

In some aspects, dental drill guides can include a body defining an outer surface and an interior hole for receiving and positioning a dental drill; a first end of the body defining a tapered lead-in portion of the outer surface; a second end of the body opposite the first end defining at least one lip feature configured to be gripped by a handling tool; an outer circumferentially formed recess around the outer surface; and a seating feature extending from the outer surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/973,220, filed May 7, 2018, entitled “Positioning and InstallingSurgical Drilling Devices and Related Devices and Systems,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/961,457 (granted asU.S. Pat. No. 9,987,101), filed Dec. 7, 2015, entitled “Positioning andInstalling Surgical Drilling Devices and Related Devices and Systems,”which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/679,285(granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,165), filed Apr. 6, 2015, entitled“Positioning and Installing Surgical Drilling Devices and RelatedDevices and Systems,” which is continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/255,654 (granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,982),filed Apr. 17, 2014, entitled “Positioning and Installing SurgicalDrilling Devices and Related Devices and Systems,” which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/955,447, filedMar. 19, 2014, entitled “Positioning and Installing Surgical Implants.”The contents of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to surgical devices, and morespecifically to positioning and installing surgical drilling devices andrelated devices and systems.

BACKGROUND

Implant dentistry typically involves restoring one or more teeth in apatient's mouth using artificial implants to support prosthetic crowns.The process for replacing a missing tooth typically involves placing animplant, adding a post (e.g., an abutment) to receive a crown, andadding a crown. A bone to be processed (e.g., the alveolar bone) can befirst accessed through the patient's gum (gingival or attached) tissue.The specific site in the alveolar bone where the implant will beanchored can be prepared by drilling and/or reaming to accommodate thewidth of the dental implant to be inserted. The dental implant is theninserted into the hole, typically by screwing in a threaded connection,although other techniques can be used. A temporary healing cap issecured over the exposed proximal end in order to seal an internal boreof the implant. The patient's gums are usually then sutured over theimplant to allow the implant site to heal and to allow desiredosseointegration to occur, although other techniques can be used.Complete osseointegration typically takes anywhere from three to tenmonths. Alternatively, a temporary abutment and temporary cap can beplaced immediately at the time of implant insertion. The restoration iscompleted by placing a post (abutment) to the implant and placing a capover the post.

It is generally important that the implant be installed at a properposition and angle with respect to the particular structure of thealveolar bone. The implant should typically be installed within thealveolar bone for proper support and longevity of the implant. Theimplant should also be positioned optimally in order to place afunctional and esthetic cap or prosthesis. Many techniques and deviceshave been developed and used for the correct placement of a dentalimplant. Many such techniques tend to depend on the skill and experienceof the oral surgeon positioning and installing the implant.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, assemblies for forming an osteotomy site for a dentalimplant can include: i) a dental drill guide positioning ring to becoupled to or integral within a template material of a surgical guide,where the dental drill guide positioning ring includes: a body defininga longitudinal axis and an inner surface defining a central opening; andone or more flange retention elements extending inwardly from the innersurface of the body that retain a dental drill guide, the one or moreflange retention elements being disposed along a common plane that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and ii) the dental drill guidedefining an interior hole for receiving a dental drill and an outersurface, the dental drill guide configured to be disposed within thecentral opening of the dental drill guide positioning ring andcomprising: a first end defining a tapered lead-in portion of the outersurface; an outer circumferentially formed recess around the outersurface; and a seating feature extending from the outer surface, whereinthe one or more flange retention elements axially couple the dentaldrill guide with respect to the dental drill guide positioning ring byengaging the outer circumferentially formed recess of the dental drillguide, the axial coupling being achieved independently of a rotationalmotion of the dental drill guide relative to the dental drill guidepositioning ring.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following.

In some embodiments a second end of the dental drill guide opposite thefirst end can include at least one handling lip feature. In someembodiments, the assembly can include a handling tool configured to gripthe at least one handling lip feature. The handling tool can include atleast one finger-like element configured to grip the at least onehandling lip feature. The at least one finger-like element can includemultiple finger-like elements each separated by a spacing. In somecases, the spacing may permit each of the multiple finger-like elementsto move substantially independently of one another.

In some embodiments, the one or more flange retention elements permitthe dental drill guide, in an installed configuration, to rotate withinthe dental drill guide positioning ring without disengagement by axialseparation of the dental drill guide from the dental drill guidepositioning ring. In some embodiments, each of the one or more flangeretention elements can be constructed and configured to resilientlydeflect away from the longitudinal axis of the body to accommodate atapered insertion end of the dental drill guide and rest in aninterfacing annular recess of the dental drill guide.

In some aspects, dental drill guides can include a body defining anouter surface and an interior hole for receiving and positioning adental drill; a first end of the body defining a tapered lead-in portionof the outer surface; a second end of the body opposite the first enddefining at least one lip feature configured to be gripped by a handlingtool; an outer circumferentially formed recess around the outer surface;and a seating feature extending from the outer surface.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.

In some embodiments, the tapered lead-in portion can define an anglethat is about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some cases, the taperedlead-in portion defines an angle that is about 24 degrees.

In some embodiments, the dental drill can define a drill guide width ofabout 5.2 millimeters and the outer circumferentially formed recess canhave a depth that is about 0.40 millimeters to about 0.7 millimeters. Insome cases, the outer circumferentially formed recess can have depththat is about 0.585 millimeters. In some embodiments, a ratio of a drillguide length to a drill guide width can be about 1.38. In someembodiments, the tapered lead-in portion can define an outer width and adepth of the outer circumferentially formed recess from the outer widthof the tapered lead-in portion that is about 0.10 millimeters to about0.25 millimeters. In some cases, the depth of the outercircumferentially formed recess from the outer width of the taperedlead-in portion can be about 0.175 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the seating feature extending from the outersurface can include a circumferential seating flange. In someembodiments, the dental drill guide can be free of handles to be held bya user during a drilling operation.

In some aspects, methods for forming an osteotomy site for a dentalimplant can include providing a top loading dental surgical guidecomprising a template material that is configured to accommodate atleast a portion of an edentulous alveolar ridge to support theorientation and guidance of surgical drills in a dental region to bedrilled in a patient's mouth and a dental drill guide positioning ringhoused within the template material, the dental drill guide positioningring comprising: a substantially cylindrical body defining alongitudinal axis and an inner surface defining a central opening; andone or more flange retention elements extending inwardly from the innersurface of the cylindrical body; coupling the surgical guide along theportion of the edentulous alveolar ridge such that the dental drillguide positioning ring is oriented to guide one or more surgical drillsto the dental region to be drilled; temporarily engaging a first drillguide within the dental drill guide positioning ring by axially couplingthe first drill guide along its longitudinal axis with respect to thedental drill guide positioning ring, using the one or more protrudingflange retention elements, independently of a rotational motion of thefirst drill guide relative to the dental drill guide positioning ring byengaging the one or more protruding flange retention elements within acomplementary recessed feature of the first drill guide; performing afirst drilling procedure with a first drill guided by the first drillguide; and disengaging and removing the first drill guide from thedental drill guide positioning ring.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.

The axially coupling of the first drill guide can include engaging theone or more flange retention elements within a recess of the first drillguide. The disengaging and removing the first drill guide can includegripping a handling tool retention feature of the first drill guide witha handling tool. The first drill guide can be removed from the dentaldrill guide positioning ring while the surgical guide remains coupled tothe dental region. In some examples, each of the one or more flangeretention elements can include an upper transition surface that tapersaway from a top surface of the flange retention element; and a lowerengagement surface that tapers away from a bottom surface of the flangeretention element that is opposite the top surface and provides apredetermined resisting force to temporarily retain the guide within thedental drill guide positioning ring to limit axial separation of thedrill guide from the dental drill guide positioning ring. In someembodiments, each of the one or more flange retention elements arepositioned along a common plane substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the substantially cylindrical body.

In some examples, while temporarily engaged, the first drill guide canrotate within the drill guide positioning ring without disengaging. Insome cases, the first drill guide can be free of handles to be held by auser during drilling. The first drilling procedure can be performedwithout a user handling the first drill guide once it is engaged withinthe dental drill guide positioning ring.

In some embodiments, the method also includes temporarily engaging asecond drill guide within the dental drill guide positioning ring byaxially coupling the second drill guide along its longitudinal axis withrespect to the dental drill guide positioning ring, using the one ormore protruding flange retention elements, independently of a rotationalmotion of the second drill guide relative to the dental drill guidepositioning ring by engaging the one or more protruding flange retentionelements within a recessed feature of the first drill guide; andperforming a second drilling procedure with a second drill guided by thesecond drill guide.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first drilling procedure orsecond drilling procedure are performed without a user handling thefirst drill guide or second drill guide once engaged within the dentaldrill guide positioning ring. In some cases, all of the drillingprocedures are performed without the user using any handled drillguides.

In some embodiments, the method also includes disengaging and removingthe second drill guide from the dental drill guide positioning ring; andtemporarily engaging a third drill guide within the dental drill guidepositioning ring by axially coupling the third drill guide along itslongitudinal axis with respect to the dental drill guide positioningring, using the one or more protruding flange retention elements.

In some embodiments, the disengaging and removing the first drill guidefrom the dental drill guide positioning ring includes gripping a featureof the first drill guide with a handling tool and pulling the firstdrill guide from the dental drill guide positioning ring. The grippingthe feature can include engaging resilient elements of the handling toolonto a lip feature of the first drill guide. The resilient elements ofthe handling tool can include finger-like elements and the lip featureof the first drill guide defines an annular recess in which thefinger-like elements are disposed. In some embodiments, the temporarilyengaging the first drill guide within the dental drill guide positioningring includes gripping a feature of the first drill guide with ahandling tool and inserting the first drill guide into the dental drillguide positioning ring. The gripping the feature can include engagingresilient elements of the handling tool onto a lip feature of the firstdrill guide. The resilient elements of the handling tool can includefinger-like elements and the lip feature of the first drill guidedefines an annular recess in which the finger-like elements aredisposed.

In some aspects, methods for completing a drilling procedure to form anosteotomy site for a dental implant can include providing a top loadingdental surgical guide comprising a template material that is configuredto accommodate at least a portion of an edentulous alveolar ridge tosupport the orientation and guidance of surgical drills in a dentalregion to be drilled in a patient's mouth and a dental drill guidepositioning ring housed within the template material, the dental drillguide positioning ring comprising: a substantially cylindrical bodydefining a longitudinal axis and an inner surface defining a centralopening; and one or more flange retention elements extending inwardlyfrom the inner surface of the cylindrical body formed along a commonplane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;coupling the surgical guide along the portion of the edentulous alveolarridge such that the dental drill guide positioning ring is oriented toguide one or more surgical drills to the dental region to be drilled;temporarily engaging a first drill guide within the dental drill guidepositioning ring by axially coupling the first drill guide along itslongitudinal axis with respect to the dental drill guide positioningring, using the one or more protruding flange retention elements alongthe common plane, independently of a rotational motion of the firstdrill guide relative to the dental drill guide positioning ring byengaging the one or more protruding flange retention elements within acomplementary recessed feature of the first drill guide, wherein thefirst drill guide is configured to freely rotate within the dental drillguide positioning ring; performing a first drilling procedure with afirst drill guided by the first drill guide; and disengaging andremoving the first drill guide from the dental drill guide positioningring.

In some aspects, a dental surgical guide can include a template materialconfigured to be coupled onto a portion of a patient's mouth; and adrill guide positioning ring attached to or integrally formed within thetemplate material in a region to be drilled for installing a dentalimplant, the drill guide positioning ring comprising: one or more radialprotrusion retention features to receive one or more dental drillguides, the retention features extending from an inner surface of thedrill guide positioning ring and being configured to temporarily engagethe drill guide, the temporary engagement axially coupling the drillguide along its longitudinal axis with respect to the drill guidepositioning ring, the axial coupling being achieved independently from arotational motion of the drill guide relative to the drill guidepositioning ring.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The oneor more retention features can include one or more snap-fit features.The snap-fit features can include three partially circumferentiallyformed tabs extending inwardly from inner surface. The radial protrusionretention features can be configured to be received in a recess of thedrill guide. The temporary engagement can permit the drill guide tofreely rotate about its longitudinal axis within the drill guidepositioning ring while engaged. The freely rotatability of the drillguide can limit a disengagement of the drill guide from the drill guidepositioning ring based on contact between a dental drill and the drillguide. The dental surgical guide can be a top loading guide wherein thedrill guides can be retained and released while the surgical guideremains coupled to the patient's mouth. The axial coupling of the drillguide can define a drilling distance from a top surface of the drillguide to a surface of the patient's mouth to be drilled. The templatematerial can be fitted to and conform along an area of the patient'smouth adjacent to an area to be drilled. The drill guide can be limitedfrom rotating within the drill guide positioning ring.

In some aspects, a drill guide positioning ring to be coupled to atemplate material of a surgical guide in a region to be drilled caninclude one or more retention protrusion features extending inwardlyfrom an inner surface of the drill guide positioning ring to receive oneor more drill guides, the retention features being configured totemporarily retain the drill guide within the drill guide positioningring, wherein the temporary engagement axially couples the drill guidealong its longitudinal axis with respect to the drill guide positioningring, the axial coupling being achieved independently from a rotationalmotion of the drill guide relative to the drill guide positioning ring.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.

The surgical guide can be a dental surgical guide. The temporaryengagement can permit the drill guide to rotate about its longitudinalaxis without disengaging the drill guide from the drill guidepositioning ring. The one or more retention features can include one ormore snap-fit features disposed along an interior recess surface of thedrill guide positioning ring. The snap-fit features can include at leastone lip protrusion extending from the interior recess surface. The drillguide can include a detent along its outer surface and the drill guidepositioning ring can include a surface configured to accommodate thedetent during rotation of the drill guide. The free rotatability of thedrill guide can limit a disengagement of the drill guide from the drillguide positioning ring based on contact between a dental drill and thedrill guide. The drill guide positioning ring can be integrally formedwithin the template material. The surgical guide can be a top loadingdental surgical guide wherein the drill guides can be retained andreleased while the surgical guide remains coupled to the patient'smouth. The axial coupling of the drill guide can define a drillingdistance from a top surface of the drill guide to a surface of thepatient's mouth to be drilled. The drill guide can be limited fromrotating within the drill guide positioning ring.

In some aspects, a method for positioning surgical drill guides withrespect to a surgical site to be drilled can include connecting asurgical ring to a template material that is configured to be fittedalong a dental region to be drilled in a patient's mouth; andtemporarily engaging a drill guide within the surgical ring using one ormore radial protrusion retention features extending from an innersurface of the surgical ring, the temporary engaging including axiallycoupling the drill guide along its longitudinal axis with respect to thesurgical ring, the axial coupling being achieved independently from arotational motion of the drill guide relative to the drill guidepositioning ring. In some embodiments, the connecting the surgical ringto the template material can include integrally forming the surgicalring within the template material.

In some aspects, a dental surgical guide can include a template materialconfigured to be coupled onto a portion of a patient's mouth; and adrill guide positioning ring coupled to the template material in aregion to be drilled for installing a dental implant, the drill guidepositioning ring including an engagement portion comprising a region ofradial interference between the drill guide positioning ring and anouter surface of one or more dental drill guides, the region of radialinterference comprising one or more retention features extending from aninner surface of the drill guide positioning ring configured to engage acomplementary undercut region defined along an outer surface of thedrill guides, the region of radial interference being configured totemporarily engage the drill guides to axially couple the drill guidealong its longitudinal axis with respect to the drill guide positioningring, wherein the axial coupling is achieved independently from arotational motion of the drill guide relative to the drill guidepositioning ring. In some embodiments, the engagement portion configuresthe drill guide to at least partially rotate about its longitudinal axiswithin the drill guide positioning ring.

In some aspects, methods can include forming a physical modelrepresentative of a patient's mouth, the model defining a holereplicating a location for an implant (e.g., a dental implant) to beinstalled in the patient's mouth; disposing a locator device in thehole; and positioning, using the locator device, a drill guidepositioning ring relative to portion of a surgical guide configured tobe installed in the patient's mouth.

In some aspects, methods for forming a surgical guide (e.g., a dentalimplant surgical guide) can include forming a hole in a threedimensional physical model of a patient's surgical site (e.g., mouth),the hole replicating an intended implant hole location to be formed inthe patient's surgical site (e.g., mouth); and using the hole toposition a positioning ring within a surgical guide in order toaccommodate one or more replaceable drill sleeves relative to a desiredimplant site in the patient's surgical site (e.g., mouth).

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.

The hole in the model can be used to position the locator device inwhich to establish the precise orientation of the drill guidepositioning ring for one or more replaceable drill sleeves temporarilyretained within the surgical guide relative to a desired implant site inthe patient's mouth. The method can also include forming the surgicalguide over the drill guide positioning ring. Forming the surgical guidecan include vacuum-forming a material layer over the model and drillguide positioning ring. The method can also include removing an excessportion of the surgical guide. The method can also include temporarilyretaining one or more drill sleeves of a series of drill sleeves withinthe drill guide positioning ring. The series of drill sleeves typicallycomprise drill sleeves having increasing internal diameters toaccommodate increasing diameter drills. The drill sleeves can betemporarily retained by one or more retention features along the drillguide positioning ring and/or the drill sleeves. The drill sleeves canbe retained and removed from the drill guide positioning ring while thesurgical guide is coupled to the patient's mouth. The model can beformed at least in part by taking a physical mold of the patient'smouth. The hole can be drilled in the model. The model can be formed atleast in part by electronically scanning the patient's mouth. Theelectronically scanning can include taking a digital impression, x-ray,CT scan, or MRI. The hole can be electronically formed within the modelusing the software.

In some aspects, kits (e.g., assembly kits) for positioning a drillguide positioning ring for a surgical guide (e.g., a dental implantsurgical guide) can include a locator device to be disposed in a locatorhole defined within a physical model of a patient's surgical site (e.g.,mouth), the hole replicating an intended implant hole location to beformed in the patient's surgical site (e.g., mouth); and a drill guidepositioning ring to be coupled to a portion of the surgical guide, thedrill guide positioning ring being configured to be releaseably coupledto the locator device, the drill guide positing ring, the drill guidepositioning ring defining an engagement region configured to temporarilyretain one or more drill sleeve.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.

The kit can also include a cap that is configured to cover (e.g.,temporarily cover) the engagement region of the drill guide positioningring. The locator device can include a cylindrical (e.g., pin) region tobe received within the locator hole. The drill guide positioning ringcan be configured to be releaseably coupled to the locator device by apress-fit joint in which the drill guide can snap into the surgicalring.

In some aspects, methods can include creating a model depicting at leasta portion of a patient's surgical site (e.g., mouth); determining, usingthe model, an intended installed position of an implant (e.g., a dentalimplant) to be disposed within a bone region of the patient's surgicalsite (e.g., mouth); using the model, fabricating a surgical guidecomprising a surgical ring to be positioned in relation to the intendedposition of the implant (e.g., a dental implant); coupling the surgicalguide to the patient's mouth to position the surgical ring relative tothe intended position of the implant (e.g., a dental implant);temporarily securing a first drill sleeve to the surgical ring andperforming a first drilling operation; and with the surgical guidecoupled to the patient's surgical site (e.g., mouth), removing the firstdrill sleeve from the surgical ring and temporarily securing a seconddrill sleeve to the surgical ring and performing a second drillingoperation.

Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.

The creating a model depicting at least a portion of the patient's mouthcan include electronically modeling the patient's mouth. The creating amodel depicting at least a portion of the patient's mouth can includetaking a physical mold of the patient's mouth. The creating a model caninclude forming dental model material or performing three-dimensionaladditive or subtractive manufacturing/modeling. The fabricating thesurgical guide can include three-dimensionally additive or subtractivemanufacturing/modeling (e.g., 3-D printing) a surgical guide. Thefabricating the surgical guide can include creating a surgical guideusing a physical model of the patient's mouth. The fabricating thesurgical guide can include positioning the surgical ring relative to thephysical model with a locator pin device. The fabricating the surgicalguide can include vacuum-forming a sheet of material over the physicalmodel and over the surgical ring positioned relative to the model. Thesecuring the first or second drill sleeves in the surgical ring caninclude engaging a retention feature of the surgical ring. The engagingthe retention feature of the surgical ring can include engaging asnap-fit connection between the surgical ring and the drill sleeve.

The surgical guide can be designed virtually through software to createa surgical guide consistent with a model depicting at least a portion ofthe patient's mouth. The fabricating of the surgical guide can includethree-dimensionally additive or subtractive manufacturing/modeling. Thefabricating of the surgical guide can include positioning the surgicalring relative to the intended implant location and orientation asdesigned virtually in the software. The fabrication of the surgicalguide can provide a cylinder in which a surgical ring with internalretentive features can be inserted into the cylinder and secured todefine the orientation and location of the virtual implant. Thefabrication of the surgical guide can provide a surgical ring as anintegrally formed feature of the surgical guide. The securing the firstor second drill sleeves in the surgical ring can include engaging aretention feature of the surgical ring. The engaging the retentionfeature of the surgical ring can include engaging a snap-fit connectionbetween the surgical ring and the drill sleeve.

Embodiments described herein can have one or more of the followingadvantages.

The systems and methods described herein for positioning surgical drillguides and surgical implants (e.g., dental implants) can help to providea system for the creation of customizable surgical guides for manysurgical (e.g., dental surgical) applications. The systems and methodsdescribed herein can typically be used with many conventional orcurrently available implant drills and stops from implant manufacturersor providers. In some cases, the systems and methods herein can providea convenient, affordable, reusable, and accurate method for designingand fabricating surgical guides. Sequencing of multiple drill diameterscan be achieved through the use of individual drill sleeves that fitinto a single drill guide positioning devices (e.g., surgical rings)resulting in “hands-free” guidance for any or various sequences of drilldiameters. The systems and methods described herein can help to providea solution for surgical guide fabrication, with or without implantplanning software, either in-office or through a dental laboratory.

In keeping with substantially universal applicability, the systems andmethods described herein can help to provide comprehensive options forguiding drill sequences for any of various specific implant types andalso for limitations presented by individual surgical procedures.Typically bound by specific anatomical features (e.g., tooth position,VDO, condylar rotation/translation, posterior/anterior intra-oralaccess, etc.), the systems and methods described herein allow for theindividual drill sleeves to be positioned at any of various heights inorder to achieve better surgical access. Unlike some conventional drillsleeves using handles or keys having varying platform heights that canbe inconvenient or cumbersome and typically require a surgeon (or othertrained individual) to physically hold the drill sleeve in positionwhile drilling, the drill sleeves described herein can be individuallyinserted into and removed from a surgical guide for optimal surgicalaccess and “hands-free” surgical guidance. Once a given surgicalprocedure has been completed, both the drill sleeves and drill stopsdiscussed herein can be sterilized using various suitable methods andcan be re-used in subsequent surgical procedures.

In some aspects, the surgical guides described herein position drillsleeves for better access and can generally be easily fabricated through3-D modeling or simple vacuum forming techniques, so there is less of asignificant need to maneuver around bulky, restrictive guide material.As a result of the universally designed surgical rings described herein,the guide systems described herein can provide a surgical platform fromwhich guided surgery can now be used in a significantly greater varietyof implant procedures, making safe surgical implant placement in a broadvariety of scenarios possible for the surgeon/dentist and patient alike.

In some aspects, the surgical guides described herein can provide asystem that is easier to use and to implement a drilling operation thanby using some other conventional systems. For example, surgical guidesdescribed herein having a drill guide positioning surgical ring intowhich one or more of a series or drill sleeves can be temporarilysecured (e.g., “snapped” into position) can allow a surgeon to place theseries of drill sleeves into position for hands-free use. Also, in someembodiments, top-loading the drill sleeves into the surgical guide canallow for changing of drill sleeves (e.g., for increasing drilldiameters) while the surgical guide remains connected to the patient'smouth.

Additionally, the surgical rings described herein can be configured totemporarily engage drill guides so that the drill guides are axiallypositioned (e.g., coupled to a surgical guide) but generally permittedto rotate (e.g., partially or freely rotated) within the surgical guide.In some embodiments, the temporary engagement between the drill guidesand the surgical rings can be achieved using a snap-in type retentionconnection or by using a rotation-type device, such as a detentmechanism in one or more of the interfacing components. As discussedbelow, such free rotation of the drill guide without changing itslongitudinal position can, in some cases, yield better performance ofthe surgical guide as a result of a reduced likelihood of inadvertentlychanging the drill guide position or ejecting the drill guide from thesurgical guide during use. That is, as opposed to certain other types ofsurgical guides (e.g., that position a drill sleeve with a threaded orlure-type connection), a drill bit within a freely rotating drill guideis able to cause rotation of the drill guide (e.g., by contact or fluidcontact) without inadvertently removing or impacting the desiredpositioning of the drill guide with respect to the implant site to bedrilled.

In some embodiments, the term “freely rotate” can describe aconfiguration in which the drill guide is secured within a surgical ringand can rotate when turned by hand by a user. In some embodiments, theterm “freely rotate” can describe a configuration in which the drillguide is generally secured within the surgical but can rotate whencontacted (e.g., directly contacted) by a spinning drill guide. Forexample, the ability to rotate can serve a fail-safe (e.g., a mechanicalfuse) to limit damage to the surgical guide or to the patient. In someembodiments, the term freely rotating describes a configuration in whichdrill guides can be engaged (installed) in the surgical ring and can berotated within the surgical ring independently of such engagement. Thatis, rotational force exerted upon the drill guide (e.g., by hand or by adental drill) typically does not affect in the installation of the drillguide and does not cause the drill guide to disengage from the surgicalring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example surgical guide having asurgical ring configured to retain and axially couple a drill guide.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surgical guide of FIG. 1 with adrill guide retained within the surgical ring.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example surgical ring having internalretention features configured to retain and axially couple a drillguide.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a drill guide illustrating example features tobe retained within a surgical ring.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a drill guide retained within asurgical ring, illustrating engagement features of the drill guide andthe surgical ring that help to axially couple the drill guide within thesurgical ring.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example method of manufacturing a surgicalguide using dental implant planning software.

FIGS. 7A-7F illustrate another example method for manufacturing surgicalguide in which a physical model is used to position a surgical ring forjoining to a template material to be secured to a patient's mouth.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an example method for creating athree-dimensional model with an intended implant hole using dentalimplant planning software.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an example drill guide defining engagementfeatures for retention within a surgical ring, as well as engagementfeatures for retention within a drill guide handling tool.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an example drill guide disposed within anexample drill guide handling tool.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a drill guide retained within adrill guide handling tool, illustrating engagement features of the drillguide and the handling tool.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate an example method of installing a drill guideinto a surgical guide using a drill guide insertion tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some aspects, surgical guides, such as dental surgical guides to becoupled to a patient's mouth, can include drill guide positioning rings(e.g., surgical rings) that are configured to temporarily engage andaxially couple drill positioning device (e.g., drill sleeves or drillguides) while permitting them to at least partially rotate (e.g., freelyrotate (e.g., over 360 degrees)) within the surgical rings. In someembodiments, the term freely rotating describes a configuration in whichdrill guides can be engaged (installed) in the surgical ring and can berotated within the surgical ring independently of such engagement. Suchaxial coupling and free rotation can help to create a surgical guidethat is more reliable and easier to use by providing repeatability forpositioning a series of drill guides. In some embodiments, the temporaryengagement or retention of the drill sleeves within the surgical refersto attaching the drill sleeves without the use of additionally fastenersor components needed to couple the drill sleeve to the surgical ring.

Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a surgical guide (e.g., dentalsurgical guide) 100 can include a template material 102 and one or moresurgical drill guide positioning devices (e.g., surgical rings) 104disposed within the template material 102. The surgical guide 100 can beused to position drill guiding devices (e.g., drill guides or drillsleeves) relative to an intended surgical site to be drilled. While thesurgical ring 104 is illustrated as being disposed substantially fullywithin the template material 102, other configurations are possible. Forexample, in some embodiments, the surgical ring (or substantially onlythe components of the surgical that interface with a drill guide) areconnected to one or more template material sections that are configuredto couple to a portion of the patient's mouth.

The template material 102 is formed and constructed to secure to aregion of a patient's mouth, such as along one or more teeth, but can befully edentulous. While the example illustrated is formed to secure tosubstantially an entire set of teeth (e.g., an entire bottom row), otherconfigurations are possible. For example, the template material can beconfigured to connect to a smaller portion of the patient's mouth, suchas one or two teeth, soft tissue only, bone only, or any combinationthereof.

As discussed herein and detailed below, template materials can be formedby any of various suitable methods including additive manufacturing (3Dprinting), subtractive manufacturing (milling), vacuum-forming polymersheets, or any of various other fabrication techniques.

The surgical ring 104 is configured to retain one or more drill guides,such as a series of drill guides that can be used to position a seriesof drills to be used in a surgical procedure. In some examples, theseries of drills can be used to form a hole in a bone material toreceive an implant device, such as a dental implant device. FIG. 2illustrates a drill guide 106 installed in the surgical guide (e.g.,within the surgical ring).

The surgical ring 104 is configured to connect (e.g., temporarilyengage, retain, secure, or otherwise attach) the drill guide 106 axiallyto substantially couple the drill guide along its longitudinal axis withrespect to the drill guide positioning ring. The connection of the drillguide 106 to the drill guide positioning ring can typically be achievedwithout the use of special tooling or fasteners, as well as independentof rotational motion of the drill guide relative to the drill guidepositioning ring (e.g., as distinguished from using threaded or lurestyle (e.g., quarter turn) connection techniques. As discussed herein,longitudinal positioning of the drill guide with respect to the site tobe drilled can help to drill to reliable and repeatable depths.Additionally, proper engagement of drill guides within the surgicalguide can help limit drill guides from inadvertently being pulled by thedrills (i.e., being lost in the mouth), thereby helping to make thesurgical guides safer to use.

In addition to axial positioning, the surgical guide (e.g., the surgicalring) is also configured to allow rotation of the drill guide (e.g.,free rotation (e.g., rotation beyond 180 degrees or beyond 360 degrees))about its longitudinal axis. Free rotation of the drill guide can beuseful as rotation of a drill can sometimes create rotational forcesalong a drill guide in which the drill is spinning. For example, in somecases, the drill can actually make contact with guide and the ability tofreely rotate can help limit damage or friction that could otherwiseoccur. Additionally, in some cases, fluids (e.g., disinfectant, saliva,blood, or other fluids present in the mouth) in between the drill andthe drill guide can move with the drill and impart a rotational forceonto the drill guide. In addition to damage, in some cases, without suchfree rotation, rotational forces can cause drill guides, such as thosethat are connected by a threaded connection or merely placed into anopening, to disconnect from the from a surgical guide. Suchdisconnection could potentially cause damage to the equipment or harm tothe patient.

For the temporary engagement, the drill guide and/or the surgical ringcan each or individually include retention features configured interfacewith the complementary components. The surgical ring can include one ormore features along an engagement surfaces to engage the one or moresurfaces of the drill guide to limit axial motion once the drill guideis installed in the surgical ring. For example, referring to FIG. 3, insome embodiments, the surgical ring 104 can include at least oneretention element in the form of a protrusion (e.g., a lip, ridge,flange, or other type of feature) 108 configured to engage and retain adrill guide. In the example shown, the surgical ring 104 includes threeprotrusions 108 that extend inward radially into a central opening ofthe surgical ring. In some embodiments, the retention elements 108 canbe arranged (e.g., disposed or formed) along a plane (e.g., a commonplane) to engage and retain the drill guide. In an installedconfiguration, the retention elements along the common plane can bedisposed in a recess of the drill guide. In some cases, the common planecan be substantially perpendicular to the surgical ring's longitudinalaxis to be received within a complementary annular recess of the drillguide.

The protrusions 108 can be sized and constructed to apply apredetermined resisting force to an installed drill guide to limit thedrill guide from moving axially within the surgical ring. Theprotrusions 108 can also be designed and constructed to resilientlydeflect away from the longitudinal axis of the surgical ring toaccommodate a tapered insertion end of the complementary drill guide andrebound to rest in an interfacing recess of the complementary drillguide to apply the resisting force. As illustrated, a protrusion 108 canhave a radial protrusion length PL that it extends inwardly. In someexamples in which the surgical ring inner width (e.g., diameter) R_(W)is about 5.3 millimeters (mm), the protrusion length PL can be about0.65 mm to about 3.0 mm (e.g., about 1.27 mm). In some examples in whichthe surgical ring inner width (e.g., diameter) R_(W) is about 5.3millimeters (mm), the protrusion length PL can be about 0.55 mm to about0.7 mm (e.g., about 0.635 mm).

Additionally, the protrusions 108 can have a protrusion width P_(W)along which the protrusion can form an interface contact against aninstalled drill guide. In some examples in which the surgical ring innerwidth (e.g., diameter) R_(W) is about 5.3 mm, the protrusion width P_(W)can be about 1.0 mm to about 6.5 mm (e.g., about 2.8 mm). In some cases,the protrusions can be formed along various portions of the surgicalring inner surface. For example, the total protrusion width P_(W) (e.g.,for an individual protrusion or as combined for all protrusions) canspan along about 5% to about 100% (e.g., about 10% to about 50% (e.g.,about 15% to about 30%) (e.g., about 25%)) of the circumference of theinner ring surface.

In some embodiments, the protrusions can span any of various angularlengths along the inner surface of the surgical ring. For example, aprotrusion may extend about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees along theinner circumference of the surgical. In some examples, as illustrated,the surgical ring can include three protrusions that can each span about30 degrees along the inner surface of the surgical ring.

While the protrusions 108 illustrated are generally equally spaced apartfrom one another, other embodiments are possible. For example, thesurgical ring can include more or fewer protrusions, which can be spacedat various positions relative to one another or as a concentric ring.The surgical ring 104 can be formed of any of various types ofstructurally materials including various types of plastics or polymermaterials. In some cases, the surgical ring 104 can be made of 3-Dprintable materials. The protrusions 108, for example, can be formed offlexible (e.g., flexibly resilient materials) materials, such as variousplastics so that they can deflect when the drill guide is inserted.

The surgical ring can also have one or more installation features orsurfaces. For example, the surgical ring 104 illustrated has multipleinstallation flanges 110 extending from its outer surface that can helpsecure the surgical ring to the template material during fabrication ofthe surgical guide. The surgical guide can have more or fewerinstallation features or can have an outer surface that is textured(e.g., knurled) to be secured to the template material. However, in someembodiments, the outer surface of the surgical can be smooth orotherwise lack such installation features or flanges.

Drill guides can have one or more complementary features (e.g., arecess, an undercut region, an opening, or other type of complementaryfeature) to engage with the retention feature of the surgical ring(e.g., a protrusion of the surgical ring). Referring to FIG. 4, in someembodiments, the drill guide 106 defines a recess (e.g., a substantiallycircumferentially formed recess) 112. The recess 112 is sized andpositioned to receive the retention elements (e.g., protrusions) 108when the drill guide 106 is inserted into the surgical ring.

As illustrated, the drill guide 106 can include a substantially taperedinsertion end 107 having an angled lead-in so that during insertion, thedrill guide can gradually exert an outward radial force onto thesurgical ring (e.g., onto the protrusions). In some examples, theinsertion end 107 can include a taper lead in that is about 0 degrees toabout 90 degrees (e.g., about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees (e.g.,about 24 degrees)).

In some embodiments, the recess 112 can have any of various depths(e.g., radial widths) with respect to the other surfaces or features ofthe drill guide. For example, the recess can have a first depth (d1)from an outer surface of the tapered end 107. In some examples in whichthe drill guide length GL is about 7.2 mm and the drill guide width Gwis about 5.2 mm, the recess first depth d1 can be about 0.10 mm to about1.5 mm (e.g., about 0.35 mm). In some examples in which the drill guidelength GL is about 7.2 mm and the drill guide width Gw is about 5.2 mm,the recess first depth d1 can be about 0.10 mm to about 0.25 mm (e.g.,about 0.175 mm).

Additionally, the recess 112 can have a second depth (d2) from the outerdiameter of the drill guide. In some examples in which the drill guidelength GL is about 7.2 mm and the drill guide width Gw is about 5.2 mm,the recess second depth d2 can be about 0.10 mm to about 2.0 mm (e.g.,about 1.17 mm). In some examples in which the drill guide length GL isabout 7.2 mm and the drill guide width Gw is about 5.2 mm, the recesssecond depth d2 can be about 0.40 mm to about 0.7 mm (e.g., about 0.585mm).

While the recess 112 has been generally described and illustrated asbeing a continuously formed, circumferential recess, otherconfigurations are possible. For example, the recess can be formed alongonly one or more portions of the drill guide. In some embodiments, thedrill guide can include multiple recess segments to engage with theseparated protrusions of the surgical ring. As a non-limiting example,the surgical ring can include three substantially equally spaced apartprotrusions and the drill guide can include three or six equally spacedrecess segments to engage and retain the protrusions. In some cases, oneor more recess segments rather than a continuous circumferentiallyformed recess can help to limit a rotation of the drill guide relativeto the surgical ring.

The drill guide 106 can be made of any of various types of structurallysuitable materials. For example, the drill guide 106 can be made ofdurable materials such as metals (e.g., steels, stainless steels,aluminums, titanium, or other medically compatible metals). In somecases, the drill guide 106 can be made of durable metal materials thatare configured to be sterilized (e.g., in an autoclave) so that they canbe re-used in multiple procedures.

While certain dimensions have been provided as non-liming examples,various components and features of the systems described herein can haveother sizes. In some cases, the dimensions provided herein can establisha scale by which components or features can be sized relative to oneanother. That is, in some embodiments, components (e.g., the drillguides or the surgical rings) can be made smaller or larger and maintaina scaling of the component sizes as described herein. For example, asurgical ring can be made smaller or larger than the examples describedabove but can maintain a ratio of protrusion length or width to thesurgical ring inner width as provided by the dimensional ranges listedabove.

The drill guide can also include a seating feature (e.g., a flange) 114that is configured to contact the surgical ring when the drill guide isinstalled to act as a stopping feature to limit insertion into thesurgical ring. The seating flange 114 can also be used to set a distance(e.g., a predetermined distance) that the drill guide 106 is positionedfrom the drill site, such as a bone to be drilled, during use. Toaccommodate one or more drills, the drill guide defines a hole (e.g., acentral hole) 116 through which a drill can pass during use.

As discussed below, the drill guide can also include one or moreretention features that can be used to connect the drill guide to ahandling tool. In the example illustrated, the handling tool retentionfeature can include a recess 118, which can be defined in part by aflange along an upper region of the drill guide.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example engagement of a drill guide 106 within asurgical ring 104. As illustrated, once the drill guide 106 is insertedinto the surgical ring 104, the protrusions 108 of the surgical ring canengage within the recess 112 of the drill guide. Once installed, thecontact interface 120 between the protrusions and a surface of therecess helps to limit longitudinal motion of the drill guide relative tosurgical ring. Additionally, in some embodiments, a contact interface122 between the drill guide seating flange 114 and a seating surface ofthe surgical ring, alone or in combination with the contact interface120, can help to limit longitudinal motion of the drill guide. However,the drill guide 106 is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Asillustrated, in some embodiments, the protrusions 108 and the recess 112can be separated radially by a slight spacing to help permit motion ofthe drill guide relative to the surgical guide. To help form proper fitbetween the drill guide and the surgical ring, the components can bedesigned to have a tight fit to help limit radial motion without beingbinding. For example, the drill guide width Gw typically has frictionfit against the surgical ring width R_(W). The friction fit can help tocreate a secure, stabilizing feature but can allow the drill guide torotate. Additionally, protrusions can be designed to extend into thedrill guide recess to also limit undesirable movement. For example, therecess second depth d2 can be about 0% to about 5% greater (e.g., 0% toabout 3% (e.g., 0% to about 1%)) than the protrusion radial length PL.

For proper positioning of the drill guide after installation, thelongitudinal spacing between the recess 112 and the flange 114 can besubstantially the same as the longitudinal spacing between a top surfaceof the surgical ring and the protrusions 108.

While certain examples have been illustrated and described in which thesurgical ring includes a protrusion and the drill guide includes arecess feature, other configurations are possible. For example, one ormore protrusion features (e.g., any of those described herein) can bearranged on a drill guide and a complementary recess feature (e.g., anyof those described) can be arranged on the surgical ring.

Additionally, while retention elements 108 have generally been describedin the form of one or more protrusions, other configurations arepossible. In some embodiments, one of the components (e.g., the drillguide or surgical ring) can include one or more rotational elements,such as bearing surfaces, detents (e.g., ball detents) or other suitablecomponents, which can be configured to interface with a feature, such asa channel formed along the mating component. Detent type surfaces can beformed integrally within a component or can be attached (e.g., via athreaded or pressed connection). For example, the drill guide caninclude at least one ball detent extending from its outer surface andthe surgical ring can include a recess (e.g., a channel) along its innersurface along which the ball can roll when installed.

While some drill guide and surgical ring examples have been describedherein having certain retention/engagement features and techniqueswhich, in some embodiments, can help the drill guide rotate (e.g.,freely rotate) within the surgical guide, it is noted that such featurescan be implemented without requiring such free rotation. Specifically,in some embodiments, the drill guide and/or the surgical ring caninclude retention features but can also limit rotation of the drillguide to a certain angular rotation. For example, in some embodiments, aretention mechanism interface between a drill guide and a surgical ringcan include one or more of the regions of radial interference asdescribed herein (e.g., protrusions or detents that extend into acomplementary recess) to axially position and couple the drill guide tothe surgical ring but other features (e.g., of the drill guide or thesurgical ring) can limit rotation of the drill guide. In someembodiments, the region of radial interference can include an undercutregion, such as a recessed area in which a protrusion or detent can bedisposed to retain the drill guide within the surgical ring.

Surgical guides having the surgical rings described herein can bemanufactured using any of various dental device fabrication methods ortechniques. For example, referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, in some embodiments,dental implant planning software can be used to design a surgical guidewith a properly positioned surgical ring. Specifically, as illustratedin FIG. 6A, dental implant planning software, such as coDiagnostix™implant software, can be used to analyze a patient's condition todetermine a desired position for a dental implant to be installed in thepatient's mouth.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example surgical guide template material 202designed using the implant planning software to specifically contour tothe patients mouth (e.g., to the existing teeth). Using the implantplanning software, the template material 202 can be designed to fitalong the patient's specific oral anatomy (e.g., a configuration andlayout or one or more bones, teeth, or soft tissue within the mouth). Arecess (e.g., a hole) 204 can be designed within the template materialto receive a surgical ring as described herein. However, in someembodiments, a surgical ring can be designed as an integral component ofthe template material (i.e., as opposed to a simple hole in which thesurgical ring is installed). The recess 204 is typically positioned suchthat once the surgical ring is connected to the template material, drillguides installed within the surgical ring are disposed at a known(predetermined) distance from the intended implant site.

FIG. 6C illustrates a fabricated surgical guide 200 with the surgicalring 104 installed, where the surgical guide 200 is installed on a model500 of a portion of a patient's mouth. The surgical guide template 202can be formed of any of various structurally suitable materials and canbe manufactured by any of various suitable techniques. For example, thesurgical guide template 202 can be formed by additive manufacturing (3Dprinting), subtractive manufacturing (milling), or other suitablemanufacturing methods. Once the template 202 is fabricated, the surgicalring 104 can be secured within the template 202. For example, thesurgical ring 104 can be bonded (e.g., using light-cured bonding agentsor other types of adhesives) or secured by a tight press-fit connection.

In addition to designing and manufacturing a surgical guide usingsoftware based positioning methods, physical models depicting thepatient's mouth can be formed and used to manually fabricate a surgicalguide conforming to the model. An example of such a fabrication methodis illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7F. Specifically, referring to FIG. 7A, amodel 500 of the patient's mouth can be made having a hole 502 in alocation in which the desired implant is to be installed in thepatient's mouth. As discussed herein and detailed below, the model canbe designed and formed using various conventional dental implantplanning software programs and manufacturing techniques or by variousknown dental molding and casting techniques.

Referring to FIG. 7B, a surgical ring locator device (e.g., a locatorpin) 124 can be disposed within the hole 502 of the model to serve as adatum structure for positioning components of the surgical guide. Insome embodiments, particularly for models formed using implant software,the locator device can be manufactured as a post or pin extending fromthe physical model rather than a hole in which a pin is disposed.

Referring to FIG. 7C, a surgical ring 104 can be placed on top of thelocator pin 124. The locator pin 124 is typically configured to positionthe surgical ring 104 in a location relative to the model 500 that isrepresentative of its desired final location in the surgical ring whenthe surgical guide is installed onto the user's teeth. Next, referringto FIG. 7D, a cap (e.g., a protective cap) 125 can be installed on topof the surgical ring 104. For example, the cap 125 can be used to coverand protect internal features and components of the surgical ring duringsubsequent fabrication processes.

As illustrated in FIG. 7E, the physical model having the surgical ring104 positioned relative to the desired implant site (e.g., using alocator pin 124 and a cap 125) can be formed in a template materialconforming to the oral anatomy of the model. For example, a polymersheet 126 can be vacuum-formed over the model and surgical ring tocouple (e.g., bond or attach) the surgical ring to the formed polymersheet. As illustrated, the vacuum-formed polymer sheet generallyconforms to the various features of the model so that the resultingsurgical guide fits onto the model and therefore also onto the patient'sactual teeth.

To form the surgical guide, as depicted in FIG. 7F, the vacuum-formedtemplate material 102 can be trimmed from excess vacuumed-formed sheetaround the periphery of the teeth. Additionally, the sheet can betrimmed from a top region of the surgical ring to expose its internalfeatures for engaging the drill guide. Also, with the top surfaceexposed, the cap can be removed.

As discussed herein, the physical model 500 having a hole 502 formed tosimulate the desired implant location can be formed by any of variousmethods including using dental implant software or conventional mold andcasting techniques. For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an examplein which dental implant planning software is used to form a threedimensional model having a hole in a desired implant position.Specifically, the implant planning software can be used to assist inlocating the desired implant 504 along the illustrated patient bonestructure 506. Using the software, an electronic model 500 of thepatient's oral anatomy can be created and overlaid with the bonestructure (e.g., produced by three-dimensional X-rays) 506. Once themodel 500 and the bones 506 align with one another, a desired implanthole can be created in the electronic model. Once the electronic modelis created, a physical model can be fabricated by any of variousmanufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing (3D printing) orsubtractive manufacturing (machining (e.g., milling)). As mentionedabove, rather than a hole to receive a locator pin, the software can beused to manufacture the locator pin or post onto the physical modelitself.

Additionally or alternatively, a physical model having a hole can beformed by other techniques, such as taking a direct mold of the oralanatomy and creating a model of the oral anatomy (e.g., a dentalimpression). In some cases, the impression can be a stone or plasterimpression. To position the hole, a surgeon can use any of variousconventional techniques to estimate the desired implant position and canmanually form (e.g., drill) the hole directly into the impression.

Once a surgical guide is formed, drill guides can be retained within theguide's surgical ring to form a series of holes to install a dentalimplant. In some embodiments, the drill guides discussed herein caninclude one or more features to promote engagement with one or morehandling tools, which can make it easier to handle and install the drillguides during use. Referring to FIG. 9, a drill guide 106 can includeone or more retention features 118 arranged along its upper region thatare configured to be gripped or retained by a handling tool 128.Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the retention feature can include recess(e.g., defined in part by a flange) 118 that can be gripped and engagedby protrusions (e.g., finger-like elements) 130 of a handling tool 128.

As illustrated, in some embodiments, an engagement end of a handlingtool can include multiple finger-like elements 130 each separated by aspacing such that each of the finger-like elements can movesemi-independently from one another. Such independent movement can helpthe handling tool attach and detach from drill guides. In someembodiments, the spacing separating the finger-like elements can bepositioned at substantially equal distances from one another. In theexample illustrated, the handling tool has four finger-like elementssubstantially equally spaced around the engagement end of the handlingtool.

In some cases, the handling device can be configured to retain a drillguide for removal of the drill guide from a storage cassette, insert thedrill guide into the surgical guide, and remove the handling device fromthe drill guide so that a hole can be drilled. Additionally, in somecases, the handling device (e.g., the same device used to install thedrill guide or a different device) can be used to connect to aninstalled drill guide, remove the drill guide from the surgical guide,and remove the drill guide from the handling device. In some cases, aremoval handling device can have a tighter engagement fit with the drillguide than that of an insertion handling tool.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate an example insertion sequence in which thedrill guide can be installed in a surgical ring. FIG. 12A illustrates asurgical guide installed onto a model of a patient's mouth. Forinstallation, the drill guide 106 can be handled by the handling device128 and inserted into the surgical ring 104. The drill guide can begenerally inserted axially into the surgical ring and pushed inwardlyuntil the retention features of the surgical ring and/or the drill guideengage and axially couple the drill guide within the surgical ring, asillustrated in FIG. 12B. For example, flange-type retention featuresalong the inner surface of the surgical ring can snap into a recessalong an outer surface of the drill guide. In some embodiments, anaudible indication (e.g., a “click”) may be emitted when the drill guideis engaged in the surgical ring.

Once the drill guide is engaged within the surgical guide, the handlingtool can be removed. In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 12C, thehandling device can be designed such that it can be rolled off of thedrill guide so as to limit the drill guide from inadvertently beingpulled out of the surgical ring when the handling device is pulled fromthe drill guide. In some embodiments, having multiple finger-likeelements 130 (e.g., and the spacing therebetween) can contribute to thehandling device's ability to be rolled and pulled off of the drillguide.

Removal of the drill guide can be performed in a similar manner toinsertion. For example, a drill guide handling tool (e.g., the same toolused for insertion or a different tool which can be specific forremoval) can be connected to a drill guide by being pressed onto anupper region of the drill guide. The drill guide can then be pulled fromthe surgical ring. In some cases, the handling tool can be grippedaround its sides (e.g., on or near the retention elements) to limit thedrill guide from being disconnected from the handling tool as the drillguide is pulled from surgical ring. Additionally, in some embodiments, aremoval handling tool can be designed and configured to have a tighterfit with the drill guide to limit the drill guide from inadvertentlydisconnecting from the handling tool prior to removal.

While the systems and methods described herein have been generallydescribed and illustrated as being implemented in association withdental procedures, other embodiments are possible. For example, thedrill positioning and devices can be used to orient and position drillswith respect to any of various other types of bones or surgicalenvironments to be drill. Additionally, in some embodiments, the drillpositioning devices can be used even when no implant device is to beinstalled.

While various advantageous aspects have been described herein as beingimplemented in combination with one another, other embodiments arepossible. For example, each of the various aspects described herein canbe implemented individually or in combination with one another.Specifically, while drill guide and surgical ring examples have beendescribed herein having certain retention/engagement features andtechniques which, in some embodiments, can help the drill guide rotate(e.g., freely rotate) within the surgical guide, it is noted that suchfeatures can be implemented without requiring such free rotation.Specifically, in some embodiments, the drill guide and/or the surgicalring can include retention features but can also limit rotation of thedrill guide to a certain angular rotation. Additionally, in someembodiments, the drill guide can include handling tool retentionelements alone or in combination with the retention features used toretain the drill guide within the surgical ring.

While various embodiments have been described herein, it should beunderstood that they have been presented and described by way of exampleonly, and do not limit the claims presented herewith to any particularconfigurations or structural components. Thus, the breadth and scope ofa preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary structures or embodiments, but should bedefined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A dental drill guide system comprising: a templatematerial configured to be coupled to a portion of a patient's mouth; asurgical ring coupled to the template material, the surgical ring havingthree or more protrusions formed on an inner surface of the surgicalring, each of the three or more protrusions each having a protrusionwidth and a protrusion length; and a dental drill guide having a taperedinsertion end, the dental drill guide comprising a plurality of recessescorresponding to the number of protrusions, the plurality of recesseseach having a recess width and recess length; wherein the protrusionwidth corresponds to the recess width such that the three or moreprotrusions make interference contact with the plurality of recesses;and wherein the tapered insertion end has an angled lead-in configuredto cause the drill guide to exert an outward radial force onto thesurgical ring during an installation process.
 2. The dental drill guidesystem of claim 1 wherein the interference contact is a snap-fit thattemporarily prevents the dental drill guide from moving axially withrespect to the surgical ring.
 3. The dental drill guide system of claim1 wherein the recess length is at least two times greater than therecess width.
 4. The dental drill guide system of claim 1 wherein theprotrusion width varies along the protrusion length.
 5. The dental drillguide system of claim 4 wherein the protrusion width is largest atsubstantially the midpoint of the protrusion length.
 6. The dental drillguide system of claim 1 wherein the three or more protrusions areequally spaced about an inner circumference of the surgical ring.
 7. Thedental drill guide system of claim 6 wherein the three or moreequally-spaced protrusions are configured to provide a predeterminedresisting force to an installed drill guide to limit the drill guidefrom moving axially within the surgical ring.
 8. A dental drill guidesystem comprising: a template material configured to be coupled to aportion of a patient's mouth; a dental drill guide having a bodycomprising an outer surface topology and a tapered insertion end; and asurgical ring coupled to the template material and having a bodycomprising an inner surface topology; wherein the tapered insertion endhas an angled lead-in configured to cause the drill guide to exert anoutward radial force onto the surgical ring during an installationprocess.
 9. The dental drill guide of claim 8 wherein, in an installedposition, the outer surface topology of the dental drill guide and theinner surface topology of the surgical ring are configured to provide apredetermined resisting force to an installed drill guide to limit thedrill guide from moving axially within the surgical ring.
 10. The dentaldrill guide of claim 9 wherein the limiting of the axial movement androtational movement of the dental drill guide relative to the surgicalring is accomplished by a friction contact between the outer surfacetopology of the dental drill guide and the inner surface topology of thesurgical ring.
 11. The dental drill guide of claim 8 wherein the outersurface topology of the dental drill guide comprises a plurality ofrecess segments.
 12. The dental drill guide of claim 11 wherein theinner surface topology of the surgical ring comprises a plurality ofseparated protrusions.
 13. The dental drill guide of claim 12 whereinthe limiting of the axial movement and rotational movement of the dentaldrill guide relative to the surgical ring is accomplished by a snap-fitbetween the plurality of recess segments and the plurality of separatedprotrusions.
 14. The dental drill guide of claim 12 wherein theplurality of recess segments comprise at least one circumferentiallyformed recess on the outer surface topology of the dental drill guide.15. A dental surgical guide comprising: a positioning ring configured tobe received by a template material coupled to a patient's mouth; adental drill guide having a tapered insertion end and a top end, thetapered insertion end and the top end defining a longitudinal axis; aretention feature formed on an inner surface of the positioning ring;and a complementary retention feature formed on an outer surface of thedental drill guide; wherein the retention feature is configured to forman interface contact against the dental drill guide; and wherein thetapered insertion end has an angled lead-in configured to cause thedrill guide to exert an outward radial force onto the surgical ringduring an installation process.
 16. The dental surgical guide of claim15 wherein, in an installed position, the dental drill guide istemporarily prevented from moving in a direction along the longitudinalaxis due to the retention feature providing a predetermined resistingforce to an installed drill guide to limit the drill guide from movingaxially within the surgical ring.
 17. The dental surgical guide of claim15 wherein the retention feature is at least three retention featuresand the complementary retention feature is at least three complementaryretention features.
 18. The dental surgical guide of claim 15 whereinthe complementary retention feature is a channel into which theretention feature extends, in an installed position.
 19. The dentalsurgical guide of claim 18 wherein the retention feature can have awidth P_(W) and a length P_(L), where the P_(L) is greater than P_(W).20. The dental surgical guide of claim 19 wherein the channels has awidth CW that is substantially the same as width P_(W) and a lengthC_(L) that is substantially the same as length P_(L).